Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary policies and demanded the withdrawal of federal immigration agents during a CNN town hall on Wednesday night, as tensions simmer following the killings of two US citizens. The event highlighted deep divisions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement and the ongoing investigations.
In the town hall, Frey detailed his ‘productive’ conversation with President Donald Trump earlier in the week but insisted that the current federal presence in Minneapolis is unsustainable. He called for state-led investigations into the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, expressing distrust in federal conclusions that labeled the killings as self-defense against domestic terrorists. Frey emphasized that the federal operation, which has deployed thousands of agents to the Twin Cities, needs to conclude rapidly to restore calm.
Frey defended Minneapolis’s sanctuary policies, stating that local police should focus on combating violent crime rather than enforcing federal immigration laws. He argued that cooperation with federal agents should be reserved for apprehending serious criminals, not targeting undocumented immigrants who contribute to the community. The mayor described the policies as a safety strategy to ensure all residents feel secure in reporting emergencies without fear of deportation.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara criticized the tactics of federal immigration agents, describing viral videos of encounters as showing ‘questionable’ methods that appear unsafe. He contrasted this with local law enforcement’s emphasis on de-escalation, suggesting that federal agents’ approach resembles outdated policing strategies and lacks coordination.
During the town hall, Frey watched a newly surfaced video of a prior altercation involving Alex Pretti, who was shown kicking a law enforcement vehicle. Frey asserted that the video did not justify Pretti’s killing over a week later, urging a focus on the actual circumstances of the shooting rather than past incidents.
Republican state lawmakers Nolan West, Elliott Engen, and Michael Holmstrom participated, assigning blame for the chaos to both the Trump administration and Democratic state and local leaders. While they acknowledged federal agents’ role in clashes, they broke with Trump on key points, such as not supporting mass deportations and disagreeing with the president’s stance on gun rights in Pretti’s case.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison expressed frustration over the federal government’s refusal to release the names of agents involved in Pretti’s killing, calling it ‘absurd’ and likening it to a cover-up. He disputed Vice President JD Vance’s claim of absolute immunity for federal agents, asserting that anyone committing crimes in Minnesota can be held accountable.
The town hall underscored the escalating conflict between Minneapolis officials and the federal government, with no immediate resolution in sight. As community leaders grapple with public rage and grief, the calls for transparency and reduced federal presence highlight the challenges in balancing immigration enforcement with local safety and trust.
